The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-05-21
Special Contributors.
THE VERDICT OF EXPERIENCE.
BY REV. j. A. HoYT.
fBelle Plaine, Iowa.)

1t is now nearly twelve years since L
was converted to Universalism. 1 find
it recorded in my journal, that on May
13, 1875, / received first baptism of
the Holy Spirit, and consecrated myself
to the service of God in a new and
higher sense than ever before. 1 had
passed through a season of terrible con-
fict, the severity of which cannot find
words to express. I told God if he
would only grant me deliverance, and
lead me into the full light of his truth,
/ would be willing to make any sacri-
fees he would require.
All sincere and earnest prayer is al
ways answered. My agonized prayer
for light was answered, and with full
ness had not dared to hope. The joy
and peace that filled my soul was un-
speakable, immeasurably beyond what
had ever experienced before, and
more than 1 had ever supposed was
possible in this mortal state. God did
not answer my prayer at once. He let
me wrestle with the powers of darkness
for a season, but II waited patiently
for the Lord" and when the answer
did come, God gave not only beyond
my fears. but beyond my highest hopes.
He, literally did for me Exceeding
abandantly' above all that had asked
or thought. Now, after an interval of
twelve years, cannot think Of that
blessed day without tears springing to
my eyes, and unutterable joy to my
heart. That light has never faded
away. Not a cloud has ever risen since
between me and the face of my Father.
1 know that light will shine more and
more unto the perfect day. / know
that light "came straight from heaven"
and that it did not ''lead astray." God
took me exactly at my word. told him
if he would only lead me into the light,
I would be willing to make any sacri-
fees. Trials and prosecutions came
much more severe than l had antici-
pated.
l have been obliged to make some
great sacrifices, and have sometimes
been disposed to complain. But am
ashamed of this. God has more than
fulfilled his part of the contract; shall
be such craven, as to fail to fulfill
minep Some of my orthodox friends
tell me will never do any more good
now that l have become Universalist.
On the contrary l feel certain that
shall do vastly more good than could
possibly have done with my old faith.
More than one man has come to me
with tears in his eyes, and said 81
wish 1 could have known this years
ago; it would have saved me great
deal of trouble. l was adrift on a sea
of skepticism, l had lost all faith in the
Bible, Christ, and Christianity. With
your explanations, the Bible is the best
of books, and 1 love it /; Jesus is the
greatest of all teachers, and want to
follow him." In short, the man has
been transformed from the hard and
bitter skeptic the creeds had made
him, to loving enthusiastic Christian.
l have had some delightful expert
ences in revisiting former fields of
labor. More than one man has said to
me II am better man than when
last saw you; l did not believe much
then. Now, your faith is mine"
When l asked him the result of his
changes, "Your explanations were so
clear 1 could not help thinking of them
after you were gone. The more L
thought, the more my doubts disap-
peared, till at last all was clear, and.
now your beautiful faith is mine"
Strange to say, God had gone right on
with his work, even after had left.
Blessed be God One such testimony
repays me thousand fold for all the
tolls and sacrifices of twelve years.
If / can be instrumental in saving one
soul from the horrible skeptieism and
despair to which cruel ereeds have
driven thousands, will feel richly re-
paid for a lifetime of toll. Why can
we not trust God more2 Our good
Brother Moody says: 1.-The Lord has
put me on life boat, and says to me,
MOODY, save all you can,'" / am glad
that noble Christian worker has done SO
much good, but what will become of
those poor fellows when Moody is gone,
and only God left to look after them |?
1t has been one of my delightful expe-